The Tekkie Newsletter of Vaal

Athletic Club.

Die Tekkie Nuusbrief van Vaal

Atletiekklub

OCTOBER 2014 OKTOBER 2014

EDITORS WORD.

The month started as any other. Thinking what to write. Sometimes it just flows, (tears this time), but, then this

month was different.

There is a twist in your life. A curveball. An obstacle to climb over. A life changing event. You realise how small

and immaterial you and anything around you are. When faced with death, even if somewhat expected, you reflect

on so many things, that you just need to sit down, and realize that life is indeed a gift.

Forgive those for that stupid little things that they did to you, I did, except them for who they are, I did. (Still do not

have to like them , though.) Hug those that is dear to you and celebrate life, I do. Love life.

Run with the groupies, we are one lovely family bunch of odd people and even if you don’t like me or another

member, just be happy to be able to join in on a run. It is about the run!. (Maybe if you share a run or race, you

will see that he or she is not that bad). That is where our mutual interest lies. Forget the non-important stuff, enjoy

the run, train hard and be thankful for the strength and ability to run.

YAEH! Summer is here. Come-on, we would like you to join us at time trials and the Saturday group runs. If you

haven’t set a running goal yet for the year, do so quickly. Start training for it, put in the effort and go for it. Get that

lazy friends and family members to join in maybe just for a walk. Once they experience the spirit of the Vaal

family, they are bound to get hook. Make that your mission, to get just one other person active and off the couch

this coming year.

Start planning your outfit for the AGM / Prize giving Function. Please join us. Dis lekker. The Club will pay for you

as a member. (That is your yearly membership fee refunded in part.) It really is enjoyable. I can’t wait.

Till then,… KEEP ON RUNNING!!

I run, because I can.

Words of Wisdom

“How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience,

would have achieved success.”

&

“Never take life too seriously, you will never get out of it alive”

Elbert Green Hubbard (June 19, 1856 – May 7, 1915) was an American writer, publisher, artist, and

philosopher.

(Roelof2610@gmail.com.)

CLUB INFORMATION 2014 Club Committee:

Chairman: Steve Jackson

Vice Chairman: Gys van den Berg

Secretary and Finance: Angela Jackson

Road &Cross Country: Bennie Botha, Gys van den Berg

Web Administrator: Wayne Pienaar

Track & Field: Gys van den Berg

Equipment & Stores: Bennie Botha, Gys van den Berg

Social Events: Louise Smith

Additional Member: Cor Grey

Newsletter: Roelof van Wyk

A word from the Chairman.

The committee has really been working in the background and I want thank them for their support and dedication.

Every one of you contributes to making the club as successful as it is. We have not survived for 41 years without

dedication.

As we wind down for the year the club is moving in the background with preparations for the Vaal marathon

already underway. We will be making a major change next year by moving to chip timing as well as partnering

with them for online entries and race results.

For those of you who were at the Post Comrades function you will remember how dynamic and knowledgeable

Norrie Williamson was in just 30 min. We have managed secure a series of 3 seminars by Norrie on Running and

nutrition. The Vaal athletics club will host this exciting series in the Vaal, we will not have to go to Johannesburg

this time. The first will be in November and looks at beginners and those coming back from the winter layoff as

well as nutrition for running and more. Look out for the notices and adverts we will keep the entry fee as low as

possible as we are not doing this to make money. (And that is what sets us apart from the rest)

Steve

2 ND NOTICE

Annual General Meeting and Prize giving

Notice is hereby given of the AGM to be held on Friday the 7th of November 2014. As important decisions

need to be made, it is imperative that all members be present. Only paid up members are allowed to vote.

More detail including the venue, time and cost will be communicated nearer to the proposed date.

It will also be our Annual Prize Giving night. Time to brag about our Club and runners and have a nice

evening out. Please forward your achievements for consideration. Refer to the HONORARY COLOURS,

MERIT MEDALS, CERTIFICATES AND TROPHIES file attached. (Sept. Newsletter)

If you have any questions regarding the AGM and Prizegiving, please send a mail.

Time Trail.

FROM SEPTEMBER 2014: - TUESDAYS at 17:45.

PLEASE Wear white or bright colours to Time Trial

We need to be safety conscious whilst running.

We invite all to come and join us on a Tuesday at 17H45. All friends and Walkers are welcome too.

This is where we as a Club meet, run a bit, socialize some more and where you can find out about

upcoming races. Flyers of upcoming races are available.

The RAT Race winner for September was Paul Koorts. Only 5 seconds difference from his

predicted time!

The NEXT Race Against Time will take place on Tuesday, October 7th

17:45

. We shall have a

bring and braai afterwards, weather permitting!.

Please join us for a nice little social after the running bit.

NEW: TRACK WORK.

Join us for informal track work on Wednesdays at Drie Riviere Hoërskool.

We would like to start from 16h30, to warm up with a 2 - 4 km run, then do some 400m and

800m sessions, or whatever you feel comfortable with, but join in at any time that suits you.

You will reap the rewards, guaranteed!.

A Word to ponder !

fussbudget

a fussy or needlessly fault-finding person.

Quotes:

"...He's a cowardly fussbudget , and he's still livid about the ruckus my mother made.”

-- Gioia Diliberto, I Am Madame X , 2003

“Well, miss fussbudget , it looks as if one of your kids found another winner.” “Mother,

I'm not a fussbudget as you say. I just worry about my children, that's all.”

-- Lonnie Magee, Settling In , 2006

Origin:

An Americanism dating from around 1900, fussbudget is a portmanteau of fuss and

budget . Though the origins of fuss are unknown, budget comes from the Middle French term meaning "bag."

Birthday Celebrations: - OCTOBER

Congratulations to the following members in celebration of their birth date:

Steve Jackson 1

Estelle Cloete 6

Michael Gaade 6

Ansie Mouton 11

Paul Nicolas 11

Rozanne Endres 12

Arthur Doyle 21

Roelof Van Wyk 26

Have a great CAKE DAY!. Happy , Happy !!!

( And October is the most beautiful month!. Congrats fellow Scorpions! )

!!!! CLUB FEES 2015 !!! At the last monthly meeting the fees for 2015 were discussed. With the current economic situation, we have no choice but to keep the fees the same as last year. (Hah, Nearly scared you!.) We would like all to join the Club again for 2015 and bring at least one new member to join our fabulous family circle of friends. All fees are annual fees and run from 1st January - 31st December every year. It also includes your annual ASA licence fee / number. Junior (7 - 19 y/o) - R 350.00 Senior (20 + y/o) - R 450.00 Grandmaster (60+) - R 350.00

Annual General Meeting and Prize giving

Last year we had a theme to dress as something / someone starting with the letter ‘V’.

It was a huge success and we thought it would be nice to have a theme again for our Party.

The theme this year is:

“Black & White – with something BRIGHT”

Use your imagination. Join us for a fun-filled evening at Macauvlei . Cost will be R100 for non-

members. A cash bar will be available. More detail in next months’ Newsletter.

Please RSVP to Louise and Roelof with the number of people if you will be attending.

Local Race.

RACE RESULTS

Sasfin Gerald Fox Memorial (CGA) 21km race - 2014-09-21

Position Initials Surname Sex Age Club Finish Time

434 R Hamilton M 33 Vaal 01:55:34

Clover Irene Spring (AGN) 21km race - 2014-09-20

Position Initials Surname Sex Age Club Finish Time

268 R Hamilton M 33 Vaal 01:49:24

Clover Irene Spring (AGN) 10km race - 2014-09-20

Position Initials Surname Sex Age Club Finish Time

1005 R Endres F 29 Vaal 01:16:46

Fred Morrison (CGA) 21km race - 2014-09-14

Position Initials Surname Sex Age Club Finish Time

178 J Burger M 42 Vaal 01:47:56

182 R Hamilton M 35 Vaal 01:48:34

535 J Mouton M 46 Vaal 02:11:16

536 A Mouton F 48 Vaal 02:11:17

Fred Morrison (CGA) 10km race - 2014-09-14

Position Initials Surname Sex Age Club Finish Time

549 R Endres F 29 Vaal 01:16:02

Wits Kudus (CGA) 21km race - 2014-08-17

Position Initials Surname Sex Age Club Finish Time

207 J Burger M 42 Vaal 01:56:41

Please send me your results, even better, write me a story about the

nice race you did. Please share!.

TIME TRIAL RESULTS.

SEPTEMBER 2014 Time Trials // SEPTEMBER 2014 Tydtoetse

Name

02/09 Time

(distance)

09/09 Time

(distance)

16/09 Time

(distance)

23/09 Time

(distance)

30

/09

Attendance points total

Botha, Bennie 30’31 (4) - ?? -

Re

sult

s in

nex

t m

on

th’s

new

sle

tte

r

25

Cloete, Christiaan 33’25 (8) - - - 5

De Gouveia, Maria - - - - 1

Du Plessis, Quenesza - - - - 9

Endres, Rozanne - - ?? 26’00 (4) 22

Gloy, Alf - - - 40’05 (8) 19

Grey, Cor 38’44 (8) 38’50 (8) - 38’30 (8) 39

Hamilton, Erica - - - 40’28 (8) 26

Hamilton, Robert 37’52 (8) 38’50 (8) 39’30 (8) 37’55 (8) 14

Hedderwick, Richard 32’14 (6) 35’27 (6) - - 4

Heymans, Louis - - - - 7

Jackson, Steve - - 45’01 (8) - 22

Jee, Courtney 36’38 (6) - - - 19

Jordaan, Dawid - - 43’38 (8) 41’40 (8) 2

Koorts, Paul 43’05 (8)

RAT 42’35 (8) 43’35 (8) 42’42 (8) 32

Kraitzick, Dave - 41’44 (8) 39’58 (8) - 18

Lombaard, Antoon 41’05 (8) 41’44 (8) 43’35 (8) - 31

Mahabane, Refilwe - 35’27 (6) - - 1

Maseko, Johanna - - - - 5

Molefe, Thandi 52’16 (8) - - 52’25 (8) 7

Moloi, Ishmail - 34’18 (8) 34’49 (8) 33’37 (8) 3

Mouton, Ruan - - - - 11

Nicolas, Helen - - - - 7

Nicolas, Paul - - - - 8

Pieanaar, Wayne 34’43 (6) - 35’19 (6) - 23

Smith, David - - 39’58 (8) - 15

Smith, Louise 47’30 (8) - - - 9

Smith, Stephen 39’40 (8) - 43’37 (8) 40’27 (8) 28

Sykora, Greg 38’22 (8) - 39’24 (8) - 5

Van den Berg, Gys 34’17 (8) 35’08 (8) 35’02 (8) 34’50 (8) 32

Van Wyk, Linda - - - 24’11 (3) 20

Van Wyk, Roelof 34’17 (8) 35’08 (8) 35’02 (8) 34’50 (8) 42

Zeelie, Sharon - - 46’26 (8) ?? (5) 2

Upcoming races

Date Day Prov Event Distance Time Venue Club

3-Oct Fri Avt Lite2Nite Circuit Race 80\10\5 6:00 Kollegepark Primary Arcelor Mittal

4-Oct Sat Mpu Gods Window 2-in-1 21\10 7:00 Graskop Caravan Park Legogote

5-Oct Sun CGA Sportsmans Warehouse 15\5 6:00 East Rand Value Mall Boksburg

11-Oct Sar Harrismith Mountain 11:00 Platberg Stadium Harrismith

12-Oct Sun CGA Spar Ladies 10\5 8:00 Wanderers Club

17-Oct Fri CGA Jannas EPR 9\18hrs 13:00 Jan Viljoen School Jannas

18-Oct Sat AGN Jacaranda City Challenge 42\21\10\5 6:00 SABS Groenkloof Agape A/C

18-Oct Sat Bol Voet van Afrika race 42\21\10 6:00 Mega Park, Bredasdorp Bredasdorp AC

19-Oct Sun CGA Jozi South 21\10\4 7:00 Gold Reef City Brotherhood

26-Oct Sun Avt Karma Ranch Trail Run 24\12\6 7:00 Karma Game Ranch Vaal AC CANCELLED

26-Oct Sun CGA Panorama 21\10\5 6:00 Lifestyle & Retail Centre Panorama

26-Oct Sun CGA Diepkloof 21 and 10km 21\10W\5 6:00 UJ Soweto Diepkloof AC

1-Nov Sat FS Summer race 15\10 8:00 DP De Villiers Stad Sasolb Sasolburg

Comrades Marathon 2015 entries open on 1 September 2014. Get your entry in

early, to avoid disappointment. The entry cap for the monumental occasion, that is

the 90th Comrades Marathon, is 23 000. Please remember that you will require

your username and password to enter online, to maintain your race history.

www.comrades.com ENTRY FEE:

Early Bird Entry for South African Entrants ( 1 - 30 September 2014 ONLY) is R350.00. (Thereafter R380)

Please note: NO entries will be accepted after the 30th November 2014 which applies to all

South African, Rest of Africa and International entrants.

10419 Entries received :- 30/9/2014 @10h00

242 days till Comrades; - October 1st

.

TRAINING ADVICE.

Core strengthening Author: Discovery Vitality (22 Aug 2011)

Modern technology has us slumped in our chairs for many hours on end and chances are that our

stomach muscles are weak, our posture leaves a lot to be desired and frequent back pain is

something we just accept. Part of the solution is quite simply to strengthen your core!

Understanding why a strong core is necessary.

It’s not surprising that 80% of South Africans suffer from back pain at some stage of our lives. Every

time you bend to pick up something heavy, or twist to reach the phone, your body needs a secure

fixed point to carry out the action. In many cases, this comes from the corset or muscles around our

back. By strengthening these core muscles, you are basically increasing the efficiency of the deep,

stabilising muscles around the hips and pelvis and therefore have a more stable base for the action.

The better conditioned your core muscles, the more stable your spine is and the lower your chances

of injuring your back when twisting, bending, reaching and just living. Likewise, if you are the active

sporty-type, you are much less likely to injure yourself during your activity if you have a strong core

and your posture will improve substantially.

Knowing what your core muscles are

The most important core muscle is your transverse abdominus (TA - a deep, lateral abdominal

muscle). It is usually the first one to get activated in any action and therefore needs to be well

conditioned.

Other core muscles include multifidus (a deep lumbar muscle) and gluteus medius (a small pelvic

muscle). The core muscles attach your pelvic (hip) area, to your ribs, and in so doing, help to give

your spine firm support and stability.

Strengthening your core

There are two approaches to strengthening the core. In the first one, illustrated by exercise 1,

isolating and recruiting the actual core muscles is emphasised. This is essential for doing any more

complex exercise using your core muscles. When doing the first exercise, only tense up your

stomach muscles using approximately 25% to 30% of your maximum effort.

The second approach is to do exercises that involve the whole body rather than just isolating the

core muscles. The core muscles are used to maintain correct posture and alignment (“dynamic

stability”), whilst the arms or legs move (exercise 2 – the lunge, is an excellent example).

Exercise 1: Basic abdominal bracing technique

Lie on your back with your knees bent at right angles, your feet flat on the floor facing forward.

Make sure that your lower back is not arched or flat against the floor i.e. it should be in a ‘neutral’

position with a small gap between the floor and your back.

Breathe in deeply and then while breathing out, try to pull your belly button back in towards your

spine (in other words imagine you are zipping up a tight pair of jeans). This is called “abdominal

bracing” and your transverse abdominis (TA) muscle is the main core muscle recruited.

Hold this contraction for about 5 to 10 seconds, while breathing in and out.

Start with 5 repetitions and gradually build up to 10.

Exercise 2: The lunge (an example of a whole body “dynamic stability” exercise)

Stand with your feet hip-width apart in front of a mirror, toes pointing forward.

Keep your lower back in a neutral position, your back is straight with your shoulders back >and head

up.

Lunge forward, ensuring that your front knee is in line with your toes and your back remains straight

and your hips level.

To push back up, push down into the floor with your front foot.

It is crucial that your back remain totally still and hips level as you do the push back.

Repeat with the other leg in front, lunging forward.

Start off with 10 repetitions of each leg and gradually build up to 15 repetitions.

If you do these exercises, two to three times a week, you should feel a difference in your core

strength within a couple of weeks. After about a month, consider alternative exercises using a gym

ball or wobble ball, or even a few Pilates classes, where core strengthening is a main focus. Just keep

your core strong and you’ll reap the benefits.

In summary

A strong core is essential for maintain good posture, alleviating back pain and keeping your body

strong and stable.

Core muscles refer to the different stomach muscles collectively.

Strengthening your core involves specific exercises for isolated stomach muscle groups or whole

body exercises that engage the core.

Core exercises should be done two to three times per week to reap the benefits.

Reference

1. K McQuaide. Sports Scientist and Educationalist. Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA) and OptiFit Walk and Run. http//:www.ssisa.co.za. 2010

HEALTH INFORMATION.

The 15 Biggest Body Language Mistakes To Watch Out For July 07, 2014 Health 24

Until we get to know someone, our brain relies on snap judgements to try to categorize the person,

predict what they will do, and anticipate how we should react. You may have heard that you only

have a few seconds to make a first impression, but the truth is, your brain has made up its mind (so

to speak) about a person within milliseconds of meeting them.

According to research done by a Princeton University psychologist, it’s an evolutionary survival

mechanism. Your brain decides from the information it has—in other words, how you look—

whether you are trustworthy, threatening, competent, likeable and many other traits.

One way we can “hack” this split-second judgement is to be aware of our body language, especially

in important situations. Whether you’re applying for a job, asking for a raise, or meeting with a new

client, tweaking or just being mindful of our body language can influence the other person’s

perception of us and the outcome of the situation.

15 Body language blunders to watch out for:

1.Leaning Back too much — you come off lazy or arrogant.

2.Leaning forward — can seem aggressive. Aim for a neutral posture.

3.Breaking eye contact too soon — can make you seem untrustworthy or overly nervous. Hold eye

contact a hair longer, especially during a handshake.

4.Nodding too much — can make you look like a bobble head doll! Even if you agree with what’s

being said, nod once and then try to remain still.

5.Chopping or pointing with your hands — feels aggressive.

6.Crossing your arms — makes you look defensive, especially when you’re answering questions. Try

to keep your arms at your sides.

7.Fidgeting — instantly telegraphs how nervous you are. Avoid it at all costs.

8.Holding your hands behind your back (or firmly in your pockets) — can look rigid and stiff. Aim for

a natural, hands at your sides posture.

9.Looking up or looking around — is a natural cue that someone is lying or not being themselves.

Try to hold steady eye contact.

10.Staring — can be interpreted as aggressive. There’s a fine line between holding someone’s gaze

and staring them down.

11.Failing to smile — can make people uncomfortable, and wonder if you really want to be there.

Go for a genuine smile especially when meeting someone for the first time.

12.Stepping back when you’re asking for a decision — conveys fear or uncertainty. Stand your

ground, or even take a slight step forward with conviction.

13.Steepling your fingers or holding palms up — looks like a begging position and conveys

weakness.

14.Standing with hands on hips — is an aggressive posture, like a bird or a dog puffing themselves

up to look bigger.

15.Checking your phone or watch — says you want to be somewhere else. Plus, it’s just bad

manners.

So, what should you do? Aim for good posture in a neutral position, whether sitting or standing.

Stand with your arms at your sides, and sit with them at your sides or with your hands in your lap.

Pay attention so that you naturally hold eye contact, smile, and be yourself.

If you discover you have a particular problem with one or two of the gestures on the list, practice by

yourself with a mirror or with a friend who can remind you every time you do it, until you become

aware of the bad habit yourself.

5 surprising benefits of avocado

Avocados aren't only tasty, they're good for you too. Here are five reasons why it's good to get your

guacamole on!

You've been told to stay away from avocado because it's high in fat and calories, but this fruit is

packed with nutrients and can benefit your health in more ways than you may be aware of.

Here are a few interesting health facts about avocado:

1. A cure for bad breath

Bad breath can have many causes but if your morning mouth is a result of a deficiency in your good

intestinal flora, avocados can be the remedy! It cleanses the intestine, and serves as a natural

mouthwash.

2. A good skin care treatment

This rich and creamy fruit is filled with healthy fats and phytonutrients which offer impressive benefits

for the skin. Avocado contains vitamin E which has the ability to remedy scars and acne.

Vitamin E also speeds up cell regeneration, making it a good natural anti-ageing product.

Whether you eat it or smear it on your face, avocado oil can have a "fruitful" effect on your skin.

3. Good for the eyes

Avocado is an excellent source of the carotenoid lutein, which protects against macular degeneration

and the formation of cataracts.

4. Protects against cancer

The carotenoids and lutein found in avocados have the ability to stop the growth of prostate and

breast cancer. The oleic acid content can also lower your cancer risk.

5. Good for heart and blood pressure

While avocados are high in fat, these fats are good for you, as they assist in heart health and help to

lower blood pressure. The vitamin B6 and folic acid content in avocado is also good for the heart.

Veronreg, maar mag jy vergeld?

Iemand het jou seergemaak en jy besluit jy gaan die persoon terugkry. Help dit om kwaad met kwaad

te vergeld? Of is jy dan net slegter daaraan toe?

Dis nie maklik om daarvan te vergeet as iemand jou te na gekom het nie

Jy wil op jou regte staan en eis dat geregtigheid moet geskied. Jy wil kwaad met nog méér kwaad

vergeld, anders trap almal naderhand op jou – of so dink jy. Jy vertel met smaak vir almal wat wil

luister van die onreg wat jou aangedoen is.

Jy kom nie eintlik verder nie, want jy bly by een gebeurtenis vashaak. Dit neem later jou hele lewe

oor. Jy kan op niks anders fokus nie, so besig is jou om jou wraakplanne agtermekaar te kry.

Nogtans, dis nie jou werk om te haat of wraak te neem nie. Dis nie vir jou om te besluit wie reg of

verkeerd is nie. Onthou, God is regverdig – jy kán maar stilbly. Hy weet mos alles en sal die regte

ding op die regte tyd laat gebeur.

Doen daarom eerder goed aan dié wat nie van jou hou nie. Dan maak jy hulle vuurrooi van skaamte.

(Romeine 12). Ons doen almal verkeerde dinge en maak mense langs die pad seer. Jy besef dalk

partykeer nie eers dat jy op jou kind se hart getrap het toe jy so ongeduldig was nie, maar jy kry baie

genade, en daarom kan jy ook genadig wees teenoor diegene wat jóú benadeel.

As jy net dink hoe Jesus die mense vergewe het wat Hom onskuldig gekruisig het, dan weet jy mos

wat die regte ding is om te doen. Dit is by Hom dat jy die krag kan kry om kalm te bly. As iemand jou

te na kom, moet jy dadelik bid en vra: “Help my om my woorde nou versigtig te kies, en nie almal

daarvan te vertel sodat dit verder versprei nie.” Jy sal sien, jy sál die liefde kry om dit te kan doen,

sodat jy as ’n beter mens anderkant kan uitstap.

Jy vergeld nie net kwaad met kwaad nie, maar soms ook goed met kwaad

Dit gebeur elke dag: Iemand is vriendelik met jou, maar jy is haastig of gestres en jak die persoon af.

Of jy groet jou man en kinders vrolik in die oggend, maar vanaand is jy moeg en geïrriteerd en hulle

moet net versigtig wees om uit jou pad te bly.

Salomo sê as jy hierdie houding het, sal bitterheid en kwaadwilligheid nooit uit jou huis verdwyn nie.

Dis so goed jy breek ’n damwal of maak ’n sluis oop, en jy kan nie die vloed keer nie. Die rusiemakery

word later al hoe meer en onbeheerbaar, want mense reageer dan weer negatief op jóú houding.

Gaan dink ’n bietjie of jy nie dalk vandag ’n vriendelike woord met ’n kwaai woord beantwoord het nie.

Wat van die karwag of bedelaar by die verkeerslig met wie jy so nors was?

Ons is elkeen spesiaal deur God gevorm, na Sy beeld en Sy gelykenis

Dit beteken daar is iets van Homself binne-in jou: jy het Goddelike DNS. Daarom moet jou lewe

daardie heiligheid en regverdigheid uitstraal.

Reageer dus eerder met liefde, sodat almal kan sien jy is deel van die hemelse familie. Kry beheer

oor jou emosies. Probeer om nie jou woede, pyn of teleurstelling so duidelik te wys nie, al is dit

moeilik om jou te beteuel as jy gespanne is en jou gevoelens onverwags uitbars.

Dit is wanneer ’n mens eers wag en jou bedink dat jy verstandig kan optree as iemand ’n onreg teen

jou gepleeg het. ’n Verstandige mens het die gesindheid om ander se oortredings oor te sien en te

vergewe.

"Burning Coals" on Your Enemy's Head

Romans 12:20 is one of those somewhat ambiguous passages that is difficult to understand - not

because we don't like what it says, but because there are genuine questions about the nature of the

activity which is mentioned. In such a case, it is never good to claim that there is only one possible

interpretation. Instead, we ought to be gracious in the way we respond to people who have different

interpretations.

Romans 12:19-21

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath,

for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

On the contrary:

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Resources often don't say much about the historical background, but focus on the meaning - the fact that we are to express kindness and love to our enemies.

A few commentaries make vague comments about "burning coals" being symbolic of divine judgment. One expressed two ideas: 1) our acts of kindness will either "burn his conscience" (my paraphrase of the commentator's words) until he repents... or if he refuses to repent, 2) it will increase God's judgment against him.

Here are some possible interpretations of the what the "coals of fire" signify:

1) In many cultures at that time, fire was considered very important. Hot embers could be carried from

place to place in containers. In some instances, an insulated container may have been carried on the

individual's head. (Then he would not be in danger of burns from the rising heat.) According to this

view, the emphasis would be on the good we are to do, especially when the other person is in need.

2) This statement could also be reminiscent of an Egyptian ritual signifying "repentance." According to

this view, the good that we do would (hopefully) bring shame and repentance to the person. The focus

would be on the "mental pain" the person had, rather than on the physical pain that would be

experienced, if the live coals were to actually touch his head.

The context shows us that our goal is to do good to the evildoer - in the hope that he will repent. We

want him to become our friend, rather than our enemy.

Sponsors Page.

Please support our sponsors, they support Vaal Athletic Club.

Our Main sponsor for the Vaal Marathon for 19 Years.

MRG is the industrial roofing and structural specialist. MRG is a registered asbestos removal contractor

Supply and install Stainless Steel, Polycarb, Galvanised, Chromadeck and Nutec sheeting. Design and install lifeline systems.

One of the longest serving water points on the Cape Gate Vaal Marathon.

Carl Bechem

CCG is recognised as one of the major specialised manufacturers of cable glands and junction boxes in the

world.

(Sponsor of our Comrades tops for the past 9 years!).

(PNEUMATIC TOOLS SUPPLIER)

PO BOX 2010 3 Houtkop Rd Tel No: 016 428-1551

VEREENIGING Duncanville Fax No: 016 428-1533

N & R Electronic & Mechanical Supplies (Pty) Ltd

Phone : 016 4284160 Email : nrelect@mweb.co.za

Address : 3 Houtkop Rd, Duncanville, Vereeniging, Gauteng

(Sponsors of our 2014 Comrades T-Shirts)

LAST WORDS.